New learning in semantic dementia: Implications for cognitive and neuroanatomical models of long-term memory

Research involving patients with the syndrome of semantic dementia has provided a number of theoretical insights into the organisation of episodic and semantic memory. Here, we review recent studies which indicate that recognition memory for pictorial stimuli (such as objects, faces, etc.) is typically preserved, in at least the early stages of the disease. This evidence is discussed in the context of theories about the interaction between episodic and semantic memory, and the different contributions made by particular structures in the medial temporal lobe. Mots clés: Mémoire épisodique, mémoire sémantique, démence frontotemporale, hippocampe, lobe temporal.